
Bonk ' ^ 



^'^' 



Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society 
of Rhode Island 



Personal Narratives 

SEVENTH SERIES, No. 10 



THE 

Second Rhode Island Volunteers 

AT THE 

Siege of Petersburg, Virginia 




By ELISHA H. RHODES 

[Colonel Second Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry] 



E SZ 9 



PERSONAL NARRATIVES 



OF EVKMTS IN THE 



WAR OF THE REBELLION 

BEING PAPERS READ BEFOHK THE 

RHODE ISLAND SOLDIERS AND SAILORS 
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 



Seventh Series.-NO. 10. 



PROVIDENCE: 
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. 

I'lin. 



60l 



SNOW & FAKNHAM CO., PRINTKR8. 



.•fcy 



'LU IJ {£(5 



The 
Second Rhode Island Volunteers 



AT THE 



Siege of Petersburg, Virginia 



BT 

ELISHA H. RUODES 
[Colonel Second Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry.] 



PROVIDENCE: 
PUBLISHED BY THE SOOIBTY. 

1916. 



[Edition limited to two hundred and fifty copies.] 





?^ c^^v'u\^^'^^ 



THE 
SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

AT THE 

SIEGE OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA 



Bt ELISHA H. RHODES, 
[Colonel Second Rhode Island Volanteer Infantry.] 



On the last day of November, 1864, the Second 
Rhode Island Volunteers, attached to the Third 
Brigade, First Division, Sixth Corps, Army of the 
Potomac, were in camj) near Kernstown, Virginia, 
in the Shenandoah Valley. The corps had taken a 
conspicious part in the battles of the Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the first attack 
upon Petersburg, and then hastening to the relief 
of Washington when menaced by the Confederate 
Army under General Jubal A. Early, had finally 
made the victorious campaign of the Shenandoah 
Valley under General Sheridan. 



6 THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

On the date mentioned above (November 30), I 
made the following entry in my diary : "Home again 
in camp with a cheerful fire, and very happy with 
my comfortable surroundings. To-morrow I shall 
move my regiment to a better location, where I 
expect to make the best camp in the army and hope 
to remain during the winter." At midnight we did 
move our camp, and the movement was not com- 
pleted until we reached the entrenchments in front 
of Petersburg. 

The Third Brigade was commanded by Colonel 
Oliver Edwards (afterwards Brigadier and Brevet 
Major-General U. S. Volunteers), and was composed 
of the following regiments: Second Rhode Island, 
Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, Fifth Wisconsin, 
Forty-ninth, Eighty-second and One Hundred and 
Nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

The First Division was commanded by Brevet 
Major-General Frank Wheaton, a native of Rhode 
Island, and formerly Colonel of the Second Rhode 
Island Regiment, while the Sixth Corps was under 
the command of Major-General Horatio G. Wright, 
an officer distinguished both for gallantry and 
ability. 



AT THE SIEGE OF PETER8BUKG, VIKGINIA. 7 

On the moi'uiug of December 1 our brigade, hav- 
ing marched to Stephenson's Depot, took cars for 
AVashiugtou via Harper's Ferry, where we arrived 
about noon on the 2d. Marching to the wharf, the 
Second Khode Island and Eighty-second Pennsylva- 
nia embarked on the steamer "City of Albany," and 
proceeded down the river to Alexandria, joined the 
fleet of transports and anchored for the night. 

At daylight on the :kl. General Wheaton arrived 
on the steamer ''Idaho," and the entire fleet con- 
veying the First Division started on the journey 
down the Potomac. On the afternoon of the 4th 
we arrived at City Point and took cars for the front. 
We here had an opportunity of testing the famous 
military railroad in the rear of the Union lines. 
Built upon the surface of the ground, with little 
if any attempt at grading, the chances were against 
the safety of the passengers. 

At one point the lines ran within range of the 
enemy's batteries, and during the winter, when busi- 
ness or pleasure called us to City Point, we always 
took into consideration the chances of being thrown 
from the tiack or killed by Confederate shells. But 



THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

this did not prevent frequent applications for passes 
to visit the base of supplies. Arriving at Parkes 
Station we left the cars, and it being very dark, 
we went into camp for the night. Not knowing our 
exact location, there was some discussion as to the 
distance we were from the front. This question 
was soon settled by the sharp crack of the rifles as 
the pickets fired upon each other. December 5 the 
corps moved into the intrenchments on the left of 
the Ninth Corps and relieved the Fifth Corps, who 
were sent to another part of the line. Our brigade 
was stationed between Battery Twenty-six and Fort 
Wads worth. 

This last was a large enclosed work built across 
the Weldon llailroad, and was garrisoned by de- 
tails from our brigade with Battery E, First Rhode 
Island Light Artillery, commanded by Brevet Major 
William B. Ilhodes. In front of our brigade we 
found a high and strong earthwiork with a ban- 
quette for infantry to stan<l upon, while in front 
of the deep ditch was arranged an elaborate system 
of abatis and trip wires. The distance to the 
enemy's main lines at tliis point was nearly two 



AT THE SIEGE OF PKTKRSBURCx, VIRGINIA. 9 

miles, but the rirte pits occupied by the pickets of 
each army were quite near to each other. The trees 
between the lines had been slashed and lay in all 
conceivable positions, rendering the space seem- 
ingly impassable. 

The Fifth Corps left some very good quarters, 
but remembering my plans while in the valley to 
have the best camp in the army, I caused the entire 
camp to be reconstructed, and soon had a village 
of huts that were comfortable, if not ornate. 

On our right firing was kept up on the Ninth 
Corps front and we could see constantly, both day 
and night, the bursting shells. In fact, from the 
hour of our arrival until the termination of the 
siege four months afterwards, we never knew a day 
that the roar of cannon was not brought to our 
ears. Day or night, it was always to be heard, and 
I remember well the pleasure I felt upon taking a 
trip down the James River during the winter, to 
be able to go to sleep without hearing the roar of 
the batteries. 

Little progress had been made in the siege during 
our absence in the vallev. The mine had been ex- 



10 THE SBOOND BHODK ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

ploded and many lives bad been lost, but the end 
seemed as far oft" as in the previous July, when we 
left the trenches to go to the relief of the Capital. 
On December 7 I took my first tour of duty as divi- 
sion officer of the day in charge of the picket line. 

By an arrangement with the officer in charge of 
the enemy's line, firing was prohibited. 

On the afternoon of the 9th I returned to camp 
and found the t^ixth Corps under marching orders. 
At 4 r. M. we left camp, and marching on the Squir- 
rel Level road, we reached the vicinity of Hatcher's 
Run about midnight, in the midst of a severe storm 
of rain and snow. Here we halted in a swamp 
filled with fallen timber and water. Oh, how cold 
it was! The clothing of the men soon became rigid 
with ice, and sleep was impossible. In fact, the 
snow and water was so deep that it was only after 
many failures that fires could be started. I re- 
member this particular night as the most uncom- 
fortable and distressing experience of my entire 
army life. 

At daylight tlie next morning our brigade moved 
to the edge of the swamp and built a line of earth- 



AT THE SIEGE OF PETERSBURG, VIRGJKIA. 11 

works*. The enemy discovered our works and made 
a feeble attempt to take them, bnt were easily ve- 
pulsed. In fact, it was too cold for either side to 
fight with any degree of spirit. Here we remained 
until about 5 p. m.^ when we marched back to our 
old camp in front of Petersburg, and the men 
entered their huts almost exhausted with cold and 
fatigue. We had just settled down in front of our 
fires when orders came for our brigade to move 
again, and this time in the opposite direction. We 
staited otl' in the mud and water and marched to the 
vicinity of Fort Sedgwick on the Ninth Corps front. 
Here I ])ut my troops into huts witbout roofs, and 
myself and staff sat by a fire all night, trying to 
keep from freezing. 

The next day (Sunday) we remained in this camp 
until <lark and then returned to our quarters. As 
soon as the men had recovered from the fatigue re- 
sulting from the severe work described above, regu- 
lar camp duty was taken up, and we employed our 
time in battalion drills and movements in defence 
of our line of works. 

Large details were daily made for fatigue, and an 



12 THK SECOND KHODK ISLAND VOLUNTKERS 

important work was constructed on the left of the 
corps, named Fort Fisher. Inspections, reviews and 
brigade dress parades were held, and but for the 
continual firing on our right and the knowledge 
that only two miles of slashed timber separated us 
from the enemy, we might have supposed ourselves 
again in our camp near Washington. 

The year 1864 at last came to an end, and willi 
the anticipation of a speedy victory we entered 
upon a new year. 

I find in my diary, under date of January 1. 1865, 
many bright anticipations of future victories and a 
glorious termination of the war. In fact, at this 
date we began to see the beginning of the end. 

The Army of the Potomac was tightening its grip 
ujton the doomed cities of Petersburg and Rich- 
mond, and it was only a question of time when we 
should receive the rewards of our four years of 
service. An event took place early in the year that 
produced such an impression upon my mind that 
I find that T recorded it with all its horrible de- 
tails. Friday, January 6, a private of the Fourth 
New Jersey Volunteers was executed as a deserter 



AT THE SIEGK OF PETERSBURG, VIRGIMA. 



13 



and the eutire First Division was by order directed 
to witness the scene. I had always avoided mili- 
tary executions, and asked to be excused from at- 
tending this one, but my request was denied. 

The condemned man, seated u^ion his coffin in an 
ambulance and attended by a chaplain, rode 
through all the camps of the division. The troops 
were then formed on three sides of a square, while 
the grave occupied the fourth side. The solemn 
procession escorting the prisoner soon entered the 
square and proceeded to the grave, where the pris- 
oner was blindfolded and seated upon the rough box 
that was soon to contain hi.s remains. The chap- 
lain ottered praj-er and the last act was about to 
take place. During my service I had seen many 
thousand dead men, Lud while I knew that this 
man deserved his fate, yet I determined not to see 
him die. The firing party was stationed in front 
of the doomed man, and I heard the command of 
the provost-marshal, "Ready, aim,"' and then, not- 
withstanding my resolution, some horrible fascina- 
tion caused me to turn my head as I was sitting 
upon my horse, just as the word "Fire" was given. 



14 TRK »EC0N1) UIIOUE 1S1.AND VOLUNTKERS 

and I saw him fall dead upou his colliu. The troops 
were formed in column of companies and marched 
past the body as it lay upou the colliu, and as each 
company passed the command ^'Ej'es right" was 
given. The troops then returned to camp, the 
bands and drum corps playiug quick time. 

Monday, February 5, found the regiment again 
upon an expedition to Hatcher's Ruu. Here we 
built a line of rifle pits, and as soon as they were 
finished we were ordered to cross the Kun, and 
other troops had the benefit of our labors by occupy- 
ing our intrenched line. 

The Second Brigade attacked the enemy's line, 
while our brigade acted as a reserve. As the fight 
progressed we were ordered to take possession of a 
line of earthworks and shelter our men from the 
severe fire. This was certainly a fortunate move, 
for the attacking line was driven back, and but for 
the strong position occupied by the reserves, dis 
aster must have followed. Darkness put an end 
to the fight, and we lay down to sleep, to be awak- 
ened by a severe storm of hail and snow. Fires 
were started to dry our clothing, but this brought 



AT THE SIKGE OF PETKRSBUmi, VIRGINIA. 15 

upon US a tenitic tire of ishot and shell from the 
Confederate batteries. 

The next morning the Fifth Corps was sent for- 
ward into the woods in front of our line of Works, 
and for a time the noise of the conflict was loud 
and unceasing. The entire day was passed under 
fire, and only at night did the iron storm cease. 
But the rain and hail continued, and again tlie at- 
tempt to get possession of the South Side Railroad 
failed. The troops quietly left the enemy's front at 
midnight and we- returned to our permanent camp. 

This South Side Railroad was an object of strife 
during the entire winter of 1864 and 1805, and sev- 
eral attempts were made to capture and hold it. 
But not until the last days of the siege did we suc- 
ceed. Let me try to give you an idea of our daily 
life. The intrenchments in front of each regiment 
are divided into as many spaces as there are com- 
panies, and each company has its letter painted on 
the section. If an alarm is .sounded, day or night, 
the soldier seizes his gun and equipments and 
hurries to his ]»lace. Several experiments were 
tried by sounding false alarms, but it was soon 



It) THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

fouud that the enemj^, as a rule, would save us that 
trouble by giving us plenty of genuine ones. The 
men were obliged to sleep in their clothing, with 
gun and equipments by their sides. Just before 
daylight the officer in charge of the trench guards 
would cause the officers and men to be awakened, 
and the line would be quietly formed in rear of the 
works. Arms Avould be stacked, and then prepara- 
tion be made as if for a march. Knapsacks would 
be packed, or blankets rolled, and haversacks and 
canteens made ready. At headquarters horses were 
saddled and baggage made ready for removal. The 
men remained in line until sunrise, and then were 
dismissed by a signal from brigade headquarters. 
All this, of course, if no attack was made by the 
enemy. It frequently happened, however, that au 
affair would take place upon the i)icket line in 
front, and reserves from the camps would be sent 
to the relief of the line. When this reserve was 
called for, the men would mount the parapet, and, 
clearing the ditch, make their way through the 
slashing to the front. 

Tf the morning ]>roved to be quiet, the usual 



AT THE SIEGE OF PETERSBUHG, VIRGINIA. 17 

I'outiiie of camp life went on, with the exception 
that a portion of each regiment was kept on duty 
in the intrenchments. 

February 21 we received the news of the fall of 
Charleston, and salutes were fired along the entire 
line. In order that there might be no waste of 
time or powder, the guns were shotted and trained 
on the enemy's works. This day was one of great 
rejoicing, and we began to predict a speedy ter- 
mination of the war. 

Washington's Birthday was celebrated in a suit- 
able manner and was much enjoyed. The officers of 
the One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers had a tlag-raising in the camp, followed by 
a collation that excited the admiration of all who 
were so fortunate as to be present. In the evening 
the brigade commander gave a sup]>er at his head- 
quarters and caused the grove in front to be illum- 
inated. The fun and frolic was at its height when 
an order was received for the troops to be held in 
readiness to repell an attack on the Sixth Corps 
front. This order broke n]» the paity, and in sor- 
row and disgust we returned to our camps and 



18 THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND V0LUNTEKE8 

doubled the trench guards and made ready for a 
fight. The troops w^ere formed in the midst of a 
severe rainstorm (it always rained at Petersburg), 
and we waited the attack that never came. Some 
of us thought that this order came from officers who 
were not invited to the supper. 

On this night an officer and thirty men deserted 
from the enemy and came into our brigade line. 
Let me again quote from my diary: "February 25, 
1865. If the news of to-day be true, the rebels are 
preparing to evacuate Petersburg. General Meade 
ordered all the batteries on the Ninth Corps front 
to open on the enemy's works, and as I write the 
guns are booming and the air is full of bursting 
shell. It is raining and very dark, but the artillery 
duel is kept up and I can trace the lighted fuses of 
the shells as they cross each other in their flight. 

*'I am on duty as Division Officer of the Picket, 
and this morning took a ride along the lines. The 
rebels were quiet and did not fire upon me. Last 
night one hundred and sixty rebel deserters came 
into our lines. We have a supply of printed cir- 
culars offering to pay each lebel deserter for his 



AT THB SIEGE OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA. 19 

musket aiid equipments and to give him a free pas- 
sage north. These circulars are sent out between 
the lines at night and left among tlie trees, and in 
some way they get into the hands of the enemy." 

The division officer remains on duty for three 
days, and has a bullet proof hut on the line in which 
to sleep. The officers and men on picket are de- 
tailed for twenty-four hours of duty and aie not 
allowed to sleep. A guard is stationed near the 
hut, while in front the reserves are in rifle pits. 
The picket line proper is about fifty yards in ad- 
vance, while at a distance of three hundred yards 
the rebels can be plainly seen. We have agreed not 
to fire during the daytime, but as soon as darkness 
comes on the rebels open fire in order to prevent 
their men from deserting. After inspecting the 
lines of the three brigades I laid down to sleep, 
giving instructions to the sergeant in charge not to 
allow any one to enter the hut. After sleeping a 
short time, T heard some one say, "Colonel," and 
looking up I saw to my astonishment four rebel 
soldiers. My first thought was that I wlas a pris- 
oner or about to become one, and I proceeded to 



20 THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEEBS 

draw a revolver, but was stopped by the sergeant who 
was standing near. These four men Avere deserters, 
and belonged to the Thirty-seventh North Carolina 
Regiment. 1 examined them and took down their 
answers to certain questions that we were by orders 
directed to ask them, and then send them to corps 
headquarters. As they were leaving one of them 
gave me the name of a friend belonging to his com- 
pany who was to try to desert that night, and re- 
quested me to send him along promptly in order 
that they might go north together. 

Soon, in the midst of the tiring a rebel picket 
shouted, "Halt and come back," while our boys re- 
plied, "Come in, Johnny," and a rebel soldier came 
crashing through the brush and was brought to my 
quarters. Suspecting who he might be, I addressed 
him by the name given me by the previous prisoner. 
He looked somewhat surprised, but admitted that 
I was right. I then told him his captain's name, 
the letter of his company, number of his regiment, 
brigade, division, etc., also the name of the officer in 
charge of tlieir i)icket line. The man listened in a 
dazed soit of a way and then said, "I always heard 



AT THE SIEGE OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, 21 

tell that you Yankees were right smart, but how did 
you fiud out so much about me?" I replied that it 
was all right, that we had ways of obtaining in- 
formation that they knew nothing about. 

He left, impressed with the idea that the Yankees 
were a mysterious people. 

The end of the siege was evidently drawing near, 
and much anxiety was felt by commanding officers. 
The following order issued February 21 will explain 
the dispositions made to repel an attack : 

"Headquarters Third Brigade 

"First Division, Sixth Corps, February 21, 1865. 

"General Order 

No. 9. 

EXTRACT 

"To conform to General Order No. 27, Head- 
quarters, 1st Division, 6th Army Corps, of this date, 
the following disposition of the line of defense of 
this brigade front is made : 

"4:9th Pennsylvania Volunteers to garrison Fort 
Wadsworth and small section of rifle [)it on its 
right. 



22 THB SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

"37tli Massachusetts Volunteers, from centre of 
its camp to the left of rifle pit in its front. 

"5th Wisconsin Volunteers, from centre of its 
camp and the centre of camp of 87th Massachusetts 
Volunteers. 

"2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, from left of its 
camp to the centre of camp of 5th Wisconsin Vol- 
unteers. 

"82nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, from sally port 
on right of its camp to the left of the 2nd Rhode 
Island Volunteers. 

"llOth Pennsylvania Volunteers, from Battery 
2G to the sally port on the left of the Battery. 

"The 49th Pennsylvania Volunteers will relieve 
the infantry guards in Fort Wadsworth, and after 
to-morrow will be relieved from details for picket 
duty. 

"In case of a movement or attack from the enemy 
they will garrison the fort. 

"Tlie details, one-tenth (1-10) from each regiment 
for trench duty, will be as follows: 

"From the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, 31 en- 
listed men. 



AT THK 8IKGK OF PBTBESBCRG, VJRGINIA, 23 

'•From 5th Wisconsin, 54 enlisted men. 

''From ;*>7tli Massachusetts, 33 enlisted men. 

"From 49th Pennsylvania, 35 enlisted men. 

*'Fiom 82nd Pennsylvania, Gl enlisted men. 

"From 119th Pennsylvania, 23 enlisted men. 

"Only one third of the number will be allowed 
to sleep at one time. This guard will mount senti- 
nels on the breastworks on their proper front, not 
more than fifty ])aces ai)art. A drummer w<ill ac- 
company each detail and the roll will be called eveiy 
two hours while on duty. 

"The detail will be jnit on duty at retreat and re- 
lieved every morning at (xuard Mount. 

"In case of attack the details will be deployed 
along the front to which the commands have been 
assigned, and so remain until the troops assume 
their positions, when they will take their proper 
places in the line of battle." 

Notwithstanding the excitement of our daily life, 
and the constant exposure to death, the sad scenes 
which were witnessed began to have a depressing 
influence ui)on both officers and men. Daily drills 
were held when the weather and the enemy per- 



24 THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

mitted, and tlie enlisted men were encouraged to 
engage in sports of various kinds. At head- 
quarters we held evening schools for the study of 
tactics, classes for reading, and Longfellow and 
Shakespeare became familiar to some who had not 
before manifested an interest in poetry. We also 
organized a council of the Union League, and amid 
the sound of cannon and rattle of the muskets we 
initiated officers into the secret mysteries of that 
now defunct partiotic society. The pickets were 
attacked almost daily, and these attacks merely 
excited a passing interest. We felt quite secure 
behind our walls of logs and sand, and rather lived 
in the hope that the enemy would make a serious 
attack upon our lines, and give us a chance to fol- 
low them into their own stronghold. March 11 
General Grant reviewed our division, or so much of 
it as could be spared from the trenches. This event 
helped to relieve, for a time, the strain that was 
felt by all the troops. 

On March 14 a party of gentlemen from Rhode 
Island, accompanied by a lady from Chicago, visited 
our camp. Having received timely notice that the 



AT THE SIKGK OF PETERSBURG, VIR(}INIA. 25 

party would arrive by morning train, nnuli prepa- 
ration was made to give them a [troper reception. 
Invitation>s were issued for dinner, and even the 
men entered into the spirit of the occasion and 
prepared for the unusual event of having a lady 
pass a day in the trenches. The party arrived in 
due time, and while the presentation of the officers 
was being made, the rebels opened tire fiom their 
batteries and made a bold advance ui)ou our divi- 
sion line. My first thought was naturally for the 
safety of our guests, and hastily directing them to 
a refuge behind a hill in the rear of our camp, I 
joined my command in the trenches. Much to our 
astonishment, the lady refused to seek a place of 
safety and took her place with the men behind the 
parapet, where her presence was greeted with round 
upon round of cheers. The bullets whistled merrily 
for a few minutes, and then the attack was over, 
and only occasional shots were fired by the pickets. 

This incident, so unusual in the history of wars, 
furnished a topic of conversation until the dose of 
the siege. 

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated with much en- 



j26 THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

thusiasm by the troops of the Irish brigade, and on 
invitation I attended the ceremonies. Hurdle races 
and ditcli jumping were the principal amusements, 
and after seeing one colonel and two enlisted men 
fatally injured, I returned to camp, satisfied to take 
my cliances with the rebel shot and shell. One of 
our regular excursions was to the camps of the 
Fourth and Seventh Rhode Island Volunteers, then 
forming a i)art of the garrison of Fort Sedgwick. 
Here tlie opposing lines were only a few yards 
from each other, and the life led by the poor fellows 
in tlie principal forts of each side warranted the 
names bestowed, Fort Hell and Fort Damnation. 

Monday, March 20, our division was reviewed by 
Major-Oeneral Meade, commanding the Army of 
the I'otomac, accompanied by our Corps Com- 
mander, General H. G. AVright, and Admiral David 
B. Porter, of tlie United States Navy. This review 
was tendered as a compliment to Admiral Porter, 
and the officers and men felt that a compliment was 
paid to our division in being selected for this 
service. 



AT THK SIEOK OF PKTBRSBUKG, VIRGINIA. 27 

On March 23 a severe gale raged, and was accom- 
panied by clouds of sand which obscured the sun. 

The woods and slashings on the rebel picket line 
caught fire and the enemy were driven from their 
rifle pits to their main line. The fire, which raged 
fiercely in our front, prevented our taking advan- 
tage of the misfortunes of the enemy. 

On the morning of Sunday, March 26, the rebels 
made an attack upon the Ninth ('orps front and 
captured Fort Stedman. The firing, which was 
more lively than usual, attracted our attention on 
the Sixth Corps line, and the troops were immedi- 
ately formed, in anticipation of orders to go to the 
help of our comrades on the right. The orders to 
move soon came, and leaving the trench guards to 
protect our camp, our division moved at the double 
quick, a distance of about four miles, to the vicinity 
of the captured fort. A part of the way we were 
obliged to pass under fire of the Confederate bat- 
teries, and we arrived at the scene of conflict just 
in time to witness the recapture of Fort Stedraan 
by the gallant division commanded by General John 
F. Hartranft, of Pennsylvania. It was a superb 



28 THB SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

sight: the long lines of infantry gradually closing 
in on the front, the clouds of smoke that marked 
the line, the grand rush and the cheers of victory 
as the troops passed the ditch, mounted the para- 
pet and planted their colors. But we were not 
to share in this glory, and after enduring the fire 
of the rebel batteries for a while, we retraced our 
steps to our camps, only to be ordered to the left 
of the line near Fort Fisher, where the division was 
massed. Here we were visited by President Lin- 
coln, General Grant and General Meade, who rode 
through the lines. The object of this move proved 
to be the gaining of ground from which to make the 
grand assault which took place a few days later. 
The Second Rhode Island came into line upon 
the extreme right of the division, and we gradually 
forced the enemy's pickets back to their reserves, 
who were occupying a heavy line of rifle pits. Here 
the division made a rush and carried the line, and 
forced the rebels through the camps erected for the 
shelter of their pickets. In the confusion of the 
fight a column of the enemy concealed by the huts 
made an attempt to turn the right flank of our divi- 



AT THE SIEGE OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA. 29 

sion, but ^vere handsomely stopped by the Second 
Khode Ishmd who, changing front to the right, 
opened a heavy fire, which caused the surrender of 
a large number of prisoners and the breaking up of 
the column of attack. We immediately sent for 
intrenching tools, and turning the enemy's works, 
we soon connected the line with our main line in 
the rear. At three o'clock the next morning the 
division was relieved and returned to camp. Tues- 
day, March 28, I made my last tour of duty as 
division officer of the day in charge of the picket 
line in front of Petersburg. During the previous 
night the rebels planted a new battery and massed 
a large force of infantry in our front. Report- 
ing this fact to General AVheaton, commanding 
the division, that officer sent me a reserve of two 
thousand men. A deserter coming in reported that 
the enemy were apprehensive of an attack by us, 
which may account for the massing of their troops 
on our front. General Wheaton visited the picket 
]ine to-day and together we crawled through the 
slashing until we nearly reached the enemy's 
pickets, where, with our glasses, we counted the can- 



30 THB SECOND KHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

nou iu their works, and tried to select positions for 
our troops to occupy in the coming assault. 

Thursday, March 30, 1805, I will again quote from 
my diary: 

''It is raining hard, and far to our left we can 
hear the booming of cannon and rattle of musketry. 
We are waiting anxiously for news, as the result of 
the fight noAV going on at Five Forks and Hatcher's 
Run will, it is said, govern our movements. Gen- 
eral Sheridan with his cavalry and the Fifth Corps 
are upon the expedition and we expect great things 
from him. We are all packed up and only waiting 
as patiently as possible for orders. 

"Last night I went to bed for the first time in 
nearly three days, but the long roll sounded and I 
had to turn out and look after my men. To our 
right the air seemed to be filled with bursting shell. 
We remained in line until after midnight, and were 
then dismissed to form line again at 4 p. m. 

"March ?>1, 1805. Surely the end is drawing near. 
Last night all the regimental commanders were di- 
rected to re{)ort at brigade headquarters, where we 
were informed by the general commanding that the 



AT THE 8IEGE OF PETERSBURG, VIKWINIA. 31 

Sixth Corps was to attack Petersburg this morn- 
ing at 4 o'clock, and that the enemy's works must 
be taken, no matter what the cost. We have been 
expecting this for a long time, yet we returned to 
our camps in a solemn frame of mind and made our 
preparations. The canvas covers were taken off 
the huts, knapsacks and haversacks packed, and 
the troops stacked arms and awaited the order 
to move. About midnight a staff officer rode over 
and told me that the oi-der to attack had been 
countermanded. The rain was tailing steadily, and 
as we had no roofs to our huts, we passed a very 
uncomfortable night. At li a. m. order came for us 
to move to the assault, but the order was counter- 
manded before we could get out of camp. 

*'The battle has raged fiercely on our left all day 
and our turn must come soon. 

''Saturday, April 1st, 1865. Still packed up for 
the move, wath orders to be ready to attack at a 
moment's notice. The enemy are evidently expect- 
ing some movement on our part, for their pickets 
are on the alert, and heavy firing is kept up. The 
strain upon our nerves is severe, and I feel that the 



32 THE SECOND KHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

soou the suspeuse is ended, the better. We get 
DO news from the left of our line, and our of- 
ficers and men have anxious looks. I have made 
every preparation, and have written what may be 
my last letters." 

My next record in my diary is as follows : 

"Inside the rebel lines at Petersburg, Sunday 
evening, April 2, 1865. 

"Thank God, Petersburg has fallen. Last night 
the regimental commanders were ordered to brigade 
headquarters and we received our final odrers. 

"Again we were told that we must succeed, for 
to fail after making the attack, might endanger the 
safety of the entire army. It was a solemn gath- 
ering, and as I left. General Edwards took me by the 
hand and said, 'God bless you. Colonel, give the 
rebels to-morrow what Paddy gave the drum, a good 
beating.' I returned to my camp, assembled the 
officers, and again tried to impress upon their 
minds the gravity of the situation. At 10 p. m. all 
the Sixth Corps batteries opened upon the enemy's 
works. The noise was deafening, and the shriek 
of tlie shot and shell gave us an idea of what we 



AT THE SIEGE OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, 33 

might expect in the moiiiing. Battery E, com- 
maiided by Lieuteiiaut Ezra K. Parker, occupying 
Fort AVadsworth on the left of our camp, was hard 
at work. Soon after the firing began our brigade 
left our camp for the last time. The men were in- 
structed to place their cups and pans inside of their 
haversacks to avoid noise, and under no circum- 
stances to speak above a whisper or light a match. 
In silence we marched to Fort Fisher, where our 
boys had shoveled sand for many weary hours, and 
passed through its sally port, out on to the plain in 
front. Here the Sixth Corps was formed in double 
echelon, with our division upon the right. I passed 
down the front of the regiment and had the men 
remove the caps from their muskets, and instructed 
them not to prime or fire under any circumstances 
until ordered, as the officers were to lead in the 
attack, and did not wish to be killed by our own 
men. 

"Before moving, a thick fog settled down, and it 
was impossible to see the length of a company. 
Our orders were to move at the sound of a bugle, 
silently, but straight to the front. While waiting 



34 THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

for the signal, the rebels, although imconseious of 
the presence of an entire corps in their immediate 
front, kept up a constant fire from their picket line 
and caused us great loss. We had with our brigade 
a mule, belonging to the Pioneer corps, and loaded 
with picks and shovels. A bullet striking him, 
he broke loose from his driver and made straight 
for the rebel line. The noise that he made 
evidently alarmed the enemy, for they opened a 
terrific fire from their trench guards. We found 
the mule this morning tied to a tree in rear of the 
rebel lines. But for this accident I think that the 
surprise would have been complete. Just as day- 
light began to appear, the signal was sounded, and 
notwithstanding the orders to move silently, the 
corps set up a mighty shout and dashed forward 
into the fog. 

"The Second Rhode Island was in the second line 
of the brigade, and as we moved forward in the 
darkness, it was difficult to keep the position. W^e 
soon moved more to the right and reached the rebel 
picket line, and although receiving their fire, we cap- 
tured the line without a shot being fired by our 



AT THE SIEGE OF PETERSBUEG, VIRGINIA. 35 

lueu. Hastily rectifying the alignment in the picket 
i-itie pits, I had just a moment to take in the situa- 
tion : on our left a four-gun battery was tiring can- 
ister over our heads, while to our right a two-gun 
battery was just opening tire. L decided to go in 
between the two and try to capture one or both. 
As we reached the enemy's abatis I happened to be 
on the right of the regiment, and seeing an opening 
left by the rebels to reach their picket line, I moved 
the regiment by the Hank and then brought them 
into line in front of the two-gun battery; all this 
was done hastily and without halting; crossing the 
ditch, we scrambled and helped each other up the 
slope of the work and stepped upon the parapet 
amid the guns of the enemy, who tied to the rear. 
Here I gave the orders to prime and 'Commence 
tiling' and a rattling volley was sent into the camp. 
First-Lieutenant Frank S. Halliday, acting-adju- 
tant upon my staff, headed a party of about thirty 
men, mostly from Company E, charged the four-gun 
battery mentioned above, and captured three pieces 
of artillery. The fourth piece >\ias run out of the 
fort, but befoi-e it could escape was captured by 



86 THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS 

Lieuteuant Halliday's men. Private William Rail- 
tou, Company E, loaded this piece to the muzzle 
with stones, and as the rebels made a counter-charge 
to retake the piece, fired it into their midst. The 
gun burst into fragments, but the enemy made 
no more charges. Lieutenant John K. Dorrance 
was wounded, but Lieutenant Hallidaj^ had the sat- 
isfaction of bringing down with his pistol the man 
who did it. 

"After firing our volley we jumped into the 
rebel works and gradually forced the enemy to 
leave the cover of their huts, from behind which 
they were firing. My orders were to find the 
Boydton Plank road and then halt. We soon 
reached the road, and here the other troops of 
the brigade joined us. The Sixth Corps now 
found a line perpendicular to the rebel fortification, 
and we swept down towards Hatcher's Run, taking 
prisoners and cannon and driving the enemy into 
the hands of our troops, who had broken through 
the enemy's line on our left. After marching per- 
haps three miles, we retraced our steps and soon 
after midday we found ourselves in front of the 
enemy's interior lines. We slowly advanced and 
crowded the rebels, until at dark we could look 



AT THE SIEGE OF PETKRSBUEO, VIRGINIA. 37 

dowii the length of the maiii streets of the city. 
General Edwards asked permission to charge with 
his brigade into the town, bnt was refnsed. As 
darkness settled down upon the scene, the officers 
of the regiment gathered about the colors, when we 
sang with grateful hearts, 'Praise God from whom 
all blessings flow.' 

"Monda}', April 3, 1865. This morning at day- 
light General Edwards sent the Thirty-seventh 
Massachusetts into Petersburg. The brigade was 
under arms and watched the regiment, as, with 
skirmishers deployed, they entered the streets of 
the city. But all was quiet, and soon the news of 
the evacuation was known throughout the Sixth 
Corps. Mayor Towne and other city officials came 
out with a white flag and surrendered the city (as 
far as he had authority to do so in his civil capac- 
ity) to Brigadier-General Oliver Edwards." The 
Second Rhode Island met with many losses during 
the siege, including one officer, wounded. We were 
not permitted to visit the captured city, but turning 
our backs upon the place that had caused us so 
much hardship and sorrow, we took up our march 
in pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia, which 
pursuit ended at Appomattox. 



Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society 



OF 



RHODE ISLAND 



PERSONAL NARRATIVES 



SEVENTH SERIES 

Numbers 1 to 10 



1905-15 



CONTENTS 



No. 1. REMINISCENCES OF THE P.TJUNSIDE EXPEDITION. P.Y 
William H. Cheneky. 

No. 2. FROM THE RAPIDAN TO THE JAMES UNDER GRANT. By 
Ezra K. Pahkek. 

No. ?,. AN INCIDENT IN THE BATTLE OF MIDDLEBURG, VA. By 
Charles O. Green. 

No. 4. WAR REMINISCENCES. By Martin S. .James. 

No. 5. THE SAILOR ON HORSEBACK. By William E. Meyer. 

No. G. CAMPAIGN OF BATTERY D. FIRST RHODE ISLAND LIGHT 
ARTILLERY. IN KENTUCKY AND EAST TENNESSEE. By 
Ezra K. Parker. 

No. 7. THE NEGRO AS A SOLDIER. By Georoe R. Sher.man. 

No. 8. THE MILITARY SERVICES OF MA.TOR-CJE.NERAL AMBROSE 
EVERETT BURNSIDE IN THE CIVIL WAR. PART I. By 
Daniel R. Ballou. 

No. !». THE MILITARY SERVICES OF MAJOR-GENERAL AMBROSE 
EVERETT BI^RNSIDE IN THE CIVIL WAR. PART II. By 
Damkl R. P.allou. 

No. 10. THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND VOLUNTEERS AT THE SIEGE 
OF PETERSBUIKJ. VA. Bv Elisiia H. Rhodes. 



No. 10 of the seventh series completes one hundred printed 
papers of the Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society of R. I. 
General Elisha H. Rhodes wrote No. 1 and No. 100. 

We are asked when this work will end. "The Guard dies, 
it does not surrender." These papers will be printed each 
year until the last old veteran interested in this work dies. 

GEORGE N. BLISS, 

Chairman of Publkation Committee. 



Brig. -Gen. Charles W. Abbot, Jr., has courteously furnished 
from the records in the Adjutant-General's office, data of the 
men who wrote many of these historical papers, which is given 
in the following as a resume of their services. 



FIRST SERIES. 

Lt.-Col. Elisha H. Rhodes, Second Regiment, R. I. Vol- 
unteers. Residence, Pawtuxet, R. I. June 5, 1861, enrolled; 
June 5, 1861, mustered in. Originally served as Corporal, Co. 
D (old organization). November 6, 1861, detailed as Clerk at 
Division Headquarters, and so borne until March, 1862; 
March i, 1862, promoted Sergeant-Major, and transferred to 
Non-Commissioned Staff; July 24, 1862, promoted Second 
Lieutenant, and assigned to Co. D ; March 2, 1863, commis- 
sioned First Lieutenant, and mustered in as First Lieutenant, 
to rank as such from April 15, 1863; March 23, 1863, granted 
leave of absence for ten days ; April, 1863, on daily duty 
commanding Co. B, and so borne until November, 1863 ; 
November 6, 1863, appointed Adjutant, and transferred to 
Field and Staff; February, 1864, on leave of absence for 
thirty-five days ; mustered in as Captain, to date from June 
26, 1864, and assigned to Co. B ; June, 1864, ordered to com- 
mand the regiment, and borne as in command until mustered 
out; December 5, 1864, appointed Brevet-Major, U. S. Vol- 
unteers for gallant conduct at the Battle of Winchester, 
Va., September 19, 1864; January 19, 1865, granted leave of 
absence for eighteen days; February 6, 1865, promoted 
Lieutenant-Colonel; Brevet-Colonel U. S. Volunteers, for 
gallant and meritorious service before Petersburg, Va.; 
July, 1865, commissioned Colonel, but never mustered as 
such; July 13, 1865, mustered out. 

Lt.-Col. J. Albert Monroe, Field and Staff, First Regi- 
ment, R. I. Light Artillery. Residence, Providence. R. I. 
June 6, 1861, commissioned; June 6, 1861, mustered in. 
Originally served as First Lieutenant, Battery A ; September 
7, 1861, commissioned Captain, mustered in as such to date 
from September 7, 1861, and assigned to Battery D; Oc- 
tober 24, 1862, promoted Major; October 29, 1862, resigned 
as Captain to accept promotion; mustered in as Major to 
date October 21, 1862; November, 1862, in command of Camp 



Barry, Washington, D. C, and so borne until October, 1863 ; 
commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel and mustered in as such to 
date December 4, 1862 ; October, 1863, commanding Artillery 
Brigade, Second Army Corps, Army of Potomac, and so borne 
until March, 1864; March, 1864, on recruiting service; April, 
1864, Inspector of Artillery; May, 1864, commanding Ar- 
tillery Brigade, Ninth Army Corps, and so borne until Octo- 
ber 5, 1864, when mustered out near Poplar Grove Church, Va. 

Capt. George N. Bliss, Co. C, First R. I. Cavalry. Resi- 
dence, Pawtucket, R. I. October 4, 1861. commissioned First 
Lieutenant, Co. G ; originally served in Co. B as Private and 
Quartermaster-Sergeant; borne on extra duty as Quarter- 
master of regiment from October 14, 1861, to Decemiber 21, 
1861 ; June, 1862, assumed command of Co. G; mustered in 
as Captain to date August 4, 1862, and assigned to Co. C; 
July 16, 1863, detached for service with detachment; August, 
1863, detached for service at Conscript Camp, and so borne 
until May, 1864; August, 1864, sent to hospital at Annapolis, 
Md. ; September 28, 1864, wounded and captured at Waynes- 
boro, Va. ; transferred to Co. C (new organization), by or- 
der dated December 21, 1864; Ferbuary 5, 1865, paroled; 
honorably discharged to date May 15, 1865. 

Paymaster's Clerk Frank B. Butts, U. S. Navy. Orig- 
inally served as Corporal, Battery E, First Regiment, R. L 
Light Artillery. September 30, 1861, enrolled; September 30, 
1861, mustered in; discharged to date September 2^, 1862; 
re-enlisted in U. S. Navy October 3, 1862, as Landsman; 
served on "North Carolina," Washington Station, "Monitor" 
and "Stepping Stones" ; October 2, 1863, discharged from 
"Stepping Stones"; January 25, 1864, appointed Paymaster's 
Steward on "Flag," and served as such to March 12, 1865; 
March 14, 1865, appointed Clerk; April 22, 1865, discharged. 

Capt. Charles H. Parkhurst, Co. C, Eleventh R. L Vol- 
unteers. Residence, Providence, R. L September 19, 1862, 
enrolled; October i, 1862, mustered in; July 13, 1863, mus- 
tered out. 

Lt.-Col. Charles H. Parkhurst, Third R. L Cavalry. 
August 31, 1863, commissioned; February 4, 1864, mustered 
in ; May, 1864, absent, sick ; borne as aljsent on sick leave 



from July 15, 1864, until October 28, 1864; February, 1865, 
in command of three companies of the regiment and so 
borne until May, 1865 ; resigned and honorably discharged by 
order dated May 26, 1865. 

CoL. Edwin Metcalf, Tliird Regiment, R. I. Heavy Ar- 
tillery. August 27, 1861, commissioned; October 9, 1861, 
mustered in; originally commissioned Major; borne on leave 
of absence for thirty days from March 26. 1862; May, 1862, 
in command of Battalion at North Edisto Island; June, 1862, 
in command of Battalion at James Island ; August 5, 1862, 
resigned ; September 15, 1862, commissioned Colonel Eleventh 
R. I. Volunteers; October i, 1862 mustered in; November, 
1862, resigned; November 11, 1862, appointed Colonel Third 
Regiment, R. I. Heavy Artillery; July, 1863, Post Command- 
ant at Hilton Head, S. C. ; August, 1863, on detached service 
at New Haven, Conn., and so borne until September 29, 1863; 
October, 1863, on detached service at Morris Island, S. C, on 
examining board ; November 22, 1863, ordered on detached 
service to command U. S. forces at Fort Pulaski and Tybee 
Island, Ga., and so borne until January, 1864; February 5, 
1864, resigned. 



SECOND SERIES. 

AcTG. AssT. Paymaster Samuel T. Browne, U. S. Navy 
(Regular), appointed from Rhode Island. Originally served 
as Private, Co. D, Tenth R. I. Volunteers. Residence, Provi- 
dence, R. I. May 26, 1862, enrolled ; May 26, 1862, mustered 
in; September i, 1862, mustered out; September 30, 1862, ap- 
pointed Acting Assistant Paymaster, U. S. Navy; during 
service, served on "Montauk," "Onondaga," "Mackinaw," 
"Ashuelot," "Phlox," and "Powhatan" ; December 20, 1864, 
resigned as Acting Assistant Paymaster; March 9, 1865, ap- 
pointed Assistant Paymaster ; May 4, 1866, commissioned 
Passed Assistant Paymaster ; March 22, 1867, commissioned 
Paymaster ; borne as Naval Storekeeper at Rio de Janeiro 
and at Naval Academy; June 11, 1879, ordered on special 
duty at Washington; June 15, 1881, died at Newport, R. I. 



First Lt. Caleb H. Barney, Co. F, Fourteenth R. I. Heavy 
Artillery. Originally served as Sergeant, Co. A, Fifth R. I. 
Heavy Artillery. Residence, Providence, R. I. December 4, 
1861, enrolled; December 27, 1861, mustered in; originally 
served as Private; promoted Corporal; June, 1862, absent on 
furlough, sick; July, 1863, on detached service by order, and 
so borne until January, 1864; January 14, 1864, discharged by 
reason of promotion in Fourteenth R. I. Heavy Artillery; No- 
vember 15, 1863, commissioned First Lieutenant, Co. F, Four- 
teenth R. I. Heavy Artillery; mustered in to date December 
2, 1863; originally served in Co. K; January 20, 1864, trans- 
ferred to Co. F by general order dated December 26, 1863 ; 
January 21, 1864, detached as Battalion Adjutant, and so borne 
until March, 1864; detached as Post Adjutant by order dated 
March 27, 1864, and so borne until August, 1864; August 24, 
1864, ordered on special duty as Adjutant, Second Battalion; 
borne on special duty as Battalion and Post Adjutant from 
September 23, 1864, until January, 1865 ; October 2, 1865, 
mustered out. 

Second Lt. Philip S. Chase, Battery F, First R. L Light 
Artillery. Residence, Portsmouth, R. L October 7, 1861, en- 
rolled ; October 29, 1861, mustered in; originally served as 
Corporal; May, 1863, discharged as First Sergeant, by reason 
of promotion ; May 14, 1863, commissioned Second Lieu- 
tenant ; mustered in as Second Lieutenant; granted leave of 
absence for twenty-five days, from June 24, 1863 ; December, 
1863, granted leave of absence for ten days by special order; 
borne in command of Battery from October 27, 1864, until 
November, 1864; November 2, 1864, mustered out at Chapin's 
Farm, Va., to date October 31, 1864. 

AcTG. Ensign William B. Avery, U. S. Navy. Appointed 
from Rhode Lsland. Originally served in Co. A, First Regi- 
ment, R. L Detached Militia. Residence, Providence, R. L 
April 17, 1861, enrolled as Private; May 2, 1861, mustered in; 
August 2, 1861, mustered out; appointed Acting Ensign, U. S. 
Navy, June 15, 1863; served on "Dawn"; August 10, 1865, 
honorably discharged. 

Maj.-Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, U. S. Volunteers. Ap- 
pointed from Rhode Island. Originally served as Colonel, 



First Regiment, R. I. Detached Militia. April 17, 1861, en- 
rolled; May 2, 1861, mustered in; August 2, 1861, mustered 
out; August 6, 1861, commissioned Brigadier-General, U. S. 
Volunteers; March 18, 1862, commissioned Major-Cieneral ; 
resolution of January 28, 1864, that the thanks of Congress 
be, and they are presented to Major-General Ambrose E. 
Burnside, and through him to the oflficers and men who 
fought under his command, for their gallantry, good con- 
duct, and soldier-like endurance; April 15, 1865, resigned. 

Capt. Joshua M. Addeman, Co. H, Fourteenth R. I. Heavy 
Artillery. Residence. Providence, R. I. Originally served as 
Private, Co. B, Tenth Regiment, R. I. Volunteers. May 26, 

1862, enrolled; twenty-sixth day of May, 1862, mustered in; 
September i; 1862, mustered out; commissioned Captain Co. 
L. December 19, 1863 ; mustered to date November 23, 1863, 
by order dated January 12, 1864; January 13, 1864, transferred 
to Co. H; November 17, 1864, ordered on special duty. Judge 
Advocate, MiHtary Commission; October 2, 1865, mus- 
tered out. 

Second Lt. George B. Peck, Jr., Co. G, Second R. I. Volun- 
teers. Residence, Providence, R. I. December 13, 1864, en- 
rolled ; December 13, 1864, mustered in ; April 6, 1865, 
wounded at the battle of Salor's Creek, sent to hospital, and 
borne as absent sick until June, 1865 ; June 30, 1865, resigned. 

Horatio Rogers, Jr., Brevet Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers. Residence, Providence, R. I. Originally served as Major, 
Field and Staff, Third Regiment, R. I. Heavy Artillery. Au- 
gust 27, 1861, commissioned; originally served as First Lieu- 
tenant, Co. D ; commissioned Captain to date October 9, 1861 ; 
October q. 1861, mustered in as Captain, and transferred to 
Co. H ; January 4, 1862, ordered to Fort Sewai d ; May, 1862, 
ordered to North Edisto ; August 18, 1862, commissioned 
Major; December 27, 1863, commissioned Colonel, Eleventh 
R. I. Volunteers; January 10, 1863, resigned ; January 22, 1863, 
reported for duty ; February 6, 1863, resigned ; January 31, 

1863, commissioned Colonel Second R. I. Volunteers ; Feb- 
ruary 6, 1863, mustered in ; on leave of absence for twenty 
days from March 19, 1863 ; January, 1864, resigned and honor- 
ablv discharged January 15, 1864; March 13, 1865, Brevet 



Brigadier-General of Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious 
services during the war. 

Chaplain Frederick Denison, First R. I. Cavalry. Resi- 
dence, Pawtucket, R. I. November 7, 1861, commissioned; 
borne on leave of absence (sick), from November 14, 1862, 
until December 4, 1862 ; January 19, 1863, resigned and honor- 
ably discharged ; appointed Chaplain, Third Regiment, R. I. 
Heavy Artillery, Januar}' 20, 1863 ; January 20, 1863, mustered 
in ; granted leave of absence by order dated May 9, 1863 ; 
September 29, 1863, returned to duty; October, 1863, on de- 
tached service with Battalion at Morris Island, S. C. ; Jan- 
uary, 1864, at Fort Pulaski, and so borne until September, 
1864, when he was ordered to Rhode Island for muster out; 
October 5, 1864, mustered out. 

Priv. William A. Spicer, Co. B, Tenth R. I. Volunteers. 
Residence, Providence, R. I. May 26, 1862, enrolled ; May 26, 
1862, mustered in; July i, 1862, detailed for special service as 
Clerk for General Pope, at Washington, bj' order from Head- 
quarters ; September i, 1862, mustered out. 

Second Lt. Charles H. Williams, Co. B, Third R. I. 
Heavy Artillery. Residence, Providence, R. I. August 20, 
1861, enrolled; August 20, 1861, mustered in; originally served 
as Sergeant, Co. A; January i, 1863, promoted First Ser- 
geant ; January 16, 1864, granted furlough of twenty-five 
days ; February 3, 1864, commissioned Second Lieutenant, and 
mustered in as such to date February 15, 1864, and assigned 
to Co. F, by order dated February 14, 1864; September, 1864, 
with Co. H ; October 6, 1864, transferred to Co. B ; August 
23, 1865, commissioned First Lieutenant (never mustered) ; 
August 27, 1865, mustered out. 

Chaplain Augustus Woodbury, First Regiment, R. I. De- 
tached Militia. Residence, Providence, R. I. April 17, 1861. 
enrolled; May 2, 1861, mustered in; August 2, 1861, mustered 
out. 

First Lt. John K. Bucklin, Battery E, First R. I. Light 
Artillery. Residence, Providence, R. I. September 30, 1861, 
enrolled; September 30, 1861, mustered in; originally served 
as Quartermaster-Sergeant; March i, 1862, commissioned 



Second Lieutenant, and discharged as Quartermaster-Ser- 
geant to accept commission ; September 3, 1862, sent to Gen- 
eral Hospital, and borne as in General Hospital until De- 
cember, 1862, when he returned; December 31, 1862, commis- 
sioned P'irst Lieutenant; January 6, 1863, discharged as Second 
Lieutenant to accept commission ; July, 1863, wounded at the 
battle of Gettysburg, Pa. ; August, 1863, commanding Bat- 
tery, and so borne until April, 1864; October, 1863, on de- 
tached service as A. A. A. G., Artillery Brigade, Third 
Corps ; borne on detached service as A. D. C., Headquarters, 
Artillery Brigade, Sixth Corps, from May 4, 1864, until 
February, 1865; January 11, 1865, commissioned Captain 
(never mustered); February 2, 1865, mustered out; Brevet- 
Captain for gallant, meritorious and oftentimes distinguished 
service throughout the campaign before Richmond and the 
Valley of the Shenandoah, to date from October 19, 1864. 



THIRD SERIES. 

Capt. Thomas Simpson, Captain Battery F, First R. L 
Light Artillery. Residence, Providence, R. I. Originally 
served as Corporal, First Light Battery. R. I. Volunteers, 
April 17, 1861, May 2, 1861 ; August 6, 1861, mustered out; 
October 17, 1861, commissioned Second Lieutenant, Battery 
F, First R. L Light Artillery; October 29, 1861, mustered in; 
borne on detached service from April 14. 1862, until May, 
1862; July 30, 1862, ordered on detached service; August i, 
1862, returned to Battery; November 5, 1862, commissioned 
and mustered in as First Lieutenant; April 9, 1863, assumed 
command of Battery, and borne as in command until Septem- 
ber 25, 1863, when granted leave of absence for twenty days, 
by order dated September 18, 1863; November 28, 1863, as- 
sumed command of Battery; December 23, 1863, assumed 
command of Battery; commanding Battery from May 16, 
1864, until October. 1864; October 2, 1864, captured at Charles 
City Courthouse; February 2, 1865, paroled at James River, 
Va. ; February 23, 1865, reported at Annapolis, Md. ; March 



10 

31, i865, commissioned Captain; April 15, 1865, exchanged 
and ordered to regiment; mustered in as Captain to date 
April 12, 1865; June 27, 1865, mustered out. 

Capt. Oscar Lapham, Co. K, Twelfth R. I. Volunteers. 
Residence, Burrillville, R. I. October 10, 1862, commissioned; 
October 13, 1862, mustered in ; originally served as First 
Lieutenant, Co. B; November 7, 1862, detached from regi- 
ment as A. D. C. to D. R. Wright, Colonel commanding 
First Brigade, Casey's Division ; Decebmer 10, 1862, returned 
to regiment; December 27, 1862, appointed Adjutant; March, 

1863, absent on furlough; March 24, 1863, commissioned 
Captain; April 15, 1863, mustered in, and assigned to Co. K; 
June 29, 1863, detached for duty as Judge Advocate on Court 
Martial at Jamestown ; July 29, 1863, mustered ou.t 

G. M. Sgt. Pardon E. Tillinghast, Twelfth Regiment, 
R. I. Volunteers. Residence, Pawtucket, R. I. September 13, 
1862, enrolled ; October 13, 1862, mustered in ; July 29, 1863, 
mustered out. 

Capt. William W. Douglas, Co. C, Fifth R. I. Heavy Ar- 
tillery. Residence, Providence, R. I. November 30, 1861, 
commissioned; December 14, 1861, mustered in; originally 
served as Second Lieutenant, Co. B ; borne in command of 
Co. D from April 10, 1862, until June 7, 1862; June 7, 1862, 
commissioned First Lieutenant, and assigned to Co. D ; borne 
on detached service as Provost Marshal, District of Beau- 
fort, from June 30, 1862, until August 7, 1862; September 26, 
1862. ordered on recruiting service at Providence, R. L ; Feb- 
ruary 14, 1863, commissioned Captain and assigned to Co. C; 
on recruiting service from July 6, 1863, until Ferbuary 14, 
1864; borne in command at Fort Union, N. C, from May 5, 

1864, until May 20, 1864; borne in command at Fort Gaston, 
N. C., from May 21, 1864, until December 20, 1864; Septem- 
ber, 1864, on sick leave for twenty days, same extended thirty 
days, by order dated October 19, 1864; December 22, 1864, 
mustered out at Varina, Va., at expiration term of service. 

First Sgt. Alonzo Williams, Battery A, Third R. L 
Heavy Artillery. Residence, North Scituate, R. L September 
5, 1861, enrolled; October 5, 1861, mustered in; May 4, 1862, 



11 

promoted Corporal; promoted Sergeant to date January i, 
1863 ; re-mustered as a Veteran Volunteer, to date January 
30, 1864; June and July, 1864, absent North on furlough; 
January i, 1865, promoted First Sergeant; July 6, 1865, com- 
missioned Second Lieutenant (never mustered) ; August 4, 
1865, mustered out. 



FOURTH SERIES. 

Corp. William H. Nichols, Co. A, Seventh Squad, R. I. 
Cavalry. June 18, 1862, enrolled; June 24, 1862, mustered in; 
October 2, 1862, mustered out. 

Priv. Albert R. Greene, Co. K, Eleventh R. I. Volunteers. 
Residence, Warwick, R. I. September 22, 1862, enrolled ; Oc- 
tober I, 1862, mustered in; July 13, 1863, mustered out. 

Priv. George C. Sumner, Battery D, First R. I. Light Ar- 
tillery. Residence, Providence, R. L September 4, 1861, en- 
rolled; September 4, 1861, mustered in; September 3, 1864, 
mustered out at Charlestown, Va. 

Priv. William Whitman Bailey, Co. D, Tenth R. L Vol- 
unteers. Residence, Providence, R. L May 26, 1862, en- 
rolled; May 26, 1862, mustered in; July 15, 1862, discharged at 
Fort De Russy on surgeon's certificate. 

Sgt. John H. Rhodes, Fifth R. L Heavy Artillery and 
Battery B, First R. L Light Artillery. Residence, Providence, 
R. L August 13, 1861, enrolled; August 13, 1861, mustered 
in ; November 18, 1862, promoted Corporal ; August 12, 1864, 
discharged near Petersburg, Va. ; re-enlisted as Private, Bat- 
tery B, Fifth R. I. Heavy Artillery, July 28, 1863; July 28, 
1863, mustered in; borne as absent in hospital at Washington, 
N. C, from Noveml)er 17, 1863, until December, 1863; trans- 
ferred to Third North Carolina Ccklored Volunteers, by order 
dated January, 1864. 



12 

FIFTH SERIES. 

Second Lt. Charles M. Smith, Co. C, First R. I. De- 
tached Militia; Co. D, Tenth R. I. Volunteers; Co. I, Elev- 
enth R. I. Volunteers, and Co. L, Fourteenth R. I. Heavy Ar- 
tillery. Residence, Providence, R. I. April ii, 1861, enrolled 
as Private; May 2, 1861, mustered in; August 2, 1861, mus- 
tered out; May 26, 1862, enrolled as Private; May 26, 1862, 
mustered in; September i, 1862, mustered out; September 15, 
1862, enrolled as Sergeant; October i, 1862, mustered in; 
July 13, 1863, mustered out; enrolled in Fourteenth R. I. 
Heavy Artillery at Dutch Island, R. I. ; January 12, 1864, 
appointed Second Lieutenant ; January 30, 1864, mustered in ; 
detached for duty in Co. K, by order dated November 17, 
1864; October 2, 1865, mustered out. 

Second Lt. Benjamin H. Child, Battery H, First R. I. 
Light Artillery. Residence, Providence, R. L June 6, 1861, 
enrolled as Sergeant, Battery A; June 6, 1861, mustered in; 
July 21, 1861, wounded at the battle of Bull Run, Va. ; Sep- 
tember 17, 1862, slightly wounded at the battle of Antietam ; 
July 2, 1863, severely wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, 
Pa., sent to hospital, and borne as in hospital until December 
26. 1863, when he joined for duty; January 8, 1864, discharged 
by reason of promotion to Second Lieutenant, Battery H; 
November 6, 1863, commissioned Second Lieutenant, Battery 
H; mustered in to date January 8, 1864; promoted from Ser- 
geant, Battery A; August, 1864, in Rhode Island on leave of 
absence (sick), for thirty days; November 23, 1864, dis- 
charged. 

Sgt. William Gardiner, Co. A, First R. I. Cavalry. Resi- 
dence, Pawtucket, R. I. October 29, 1861, enrolled; October 
29, 1861, mustered in; originally served as Sergeant, Co. F 
(old organization) ; June 18, 1863, captured near Middleburg, 
Va. ; subsequently paroled; January 5, 1864, re-mustered as a 
Veteran Volunteer ; June, 1864, absent sick, and so borne 
until September, 1864; transferred to Co. A (new organiza- 
tion), by order dated December 21, 1864; borne on detached 
service at Providence Cavalry Brigade Headquarters from 
March 23, 1865, until June, 1865; August 3, 1865, mustered 
out. 



13 

Capt. Sumner U. Shearman, Co. A, Fourth R. I. Volun- 
teers ; August 2rj, 1862 ; originally served as second Lieu- 
tenant ; December 7, 1862, mustered in as First Lieutenant; 
March 2, 186.^. mustered in as Captain ; July 30, 1864, captured 
before Petersburg. Va. ; December 8, 1864, released from Co- 
lumbia, S. C. ; discharged to date December 18, 1864, by order. 



SIXTH SERIES. 

Corp. Leverett C. Stevens, Co. E, First R. L Cavalrj\ 
Residence, Providence, R. L December 9, 1861, enrolled ; De- 
cember 9, 1861, mustered in; originally served as Private; 
June 2T,, 1862, discharged for disability, at Washington ; re- 
enlisted in Co. B, September 10, 1862 ; mustered in Septem.ber 
10, 1862; originally served as Private, Co. E (old organiza- 
tion); June 18, 1863, captured; exchanged; October 12, 1863, 
taken prisoner as Sulphur Springs, Va. ; transferred to Co. B 
(new organization), by order dated December 21, 1864; April 
22, 1865, paroled at Vicksburg, Miss. ; July 10, 1865, mustered 
out. 

Sgt. William J. Crossley, Co. C, Second R. L Volunteers. 
Residence, South Providence, R. L June 5, 1861, enrolled; 
June 5. 1861, mustered in ; July 21, 1861, wounded and cap- 
tured at the battle of Bull Run; May 25, 1862, paroled at 
Washington, D. C. ; exchanged and returned to tlie regiment, 
October 10, 1862 ; June 10, 1863, promoted Corporal ; August 
2, 1863, promoted Sergeant; June, 1864, wounded in left hip 
at Cold Harbor, and admitted to Depot Field Hospital, Sixth 
Army Corps, Army of Potomac, White House, Va. ; rejoined 
the regiment and mustered out with company, June 17, 1864. 

First Lt. and Adj. Henry J. Spooner, Fourth R. L Vol- 
unteers. August 27, 1862, appointed Second Lieutenant and 
Adjutant; October 5, 1862, mustered in as First Lieutenant, 
and borne as Adjutant until February 25, 1864, when he was 
transferred to Co. E, as First Lieutenant; July, 1863, de- 
tached at New Haven, Conn., the rendezvous of conscripts 



14 

from Rhode Island, and so borne until November, 1863; 
borne as absent sick from October 23, 1863, until February, 
1864; February, 1864, Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, 
Tliird Brigade, Heckman's Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, 
and so borne until April, 1864; April, 1864, Assistant Com- 
missary of Subsistence on Staff of Colonel Steere ; April 30, 
1864, ordered to act as Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, 
Second Brigade, First Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, and 
so borne until November, 1864; November, 1864, Acting Ad- 
jutant, Seventh R. I. Volunteers; and mustered out as First 
Lieutenant and Adjutant February 3, 1865, being rendered su- 
pernumerary by consolidation. 

CoL. James Shaw, Jr., Brevet Brigadier-General, Tenth 
R. I. Volunteers, and Lieutenant-Colonel, Twelfth R. L Vol- 
unteers. May 26, 1862, enrolled at Providence, R. L ; mus- 
tered in to date May 26, 1862; originally served in the Tenth 
Infantry as Lieutenant-Colonel; August 11, 1862, promoted 
Colonel; September i, 1862, mustered out; December 31, 1862, 
commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, Twelfth R. I. Volunteers ; 
mustered in to date January 5, 1863 ; July 29, 1863, mustered 
out ; October 27, 1863, appointed Colonel of the Seventh U. S. 
Colored Troops, and mustered in as such November 14, 1863 ; 
In command of Post at Jacksonville, Fla., and Brigadier in 
expedition at Cedar Creek and Camp Melton ; from August 
13 to August 21, August 25 to September 25, and October 26 
to December 4, 1864, in command of First Brigade, Third 
Division, Tenth Army Corps ; December 4, 1864, in command 
of First Brigade, Second Division Twenty-fifth Army Corps, 
and so borne until the Brigade was disbanded by the muster 
out of the other regiments of the Brigade, February 13, 1866; 
February 21, 1865, commanding Second Division, Twenty-fifth 
Army Corps, and so borne until March 13, 1865 ; January 16, 
1866, in command of Sub-District, Victoria, Tex., and 
so borne until February 21, 1866, when he assumed command 
of General District of Texas, and remained in command 
until May 9, 1866; September 30, 1864, wounded in action by 
rifle ball (contusion of head) ; March 13, 1865, Brevet Brig- 
adier-General for meritorious service during the war ; Octo- 
ber 13, 1866, paid and discharged with regiment at Baltimore, 
Md., the same being then and there disbanded. 



15 

Corp. Patrick Egan, Co. C, Third R. I. Heavy Artillery. 
Residence, Providence, R. I. August 22, 1861, enrolled; 
October 5, 1861, mustered in; August 12, 1863, promoted 
Corporal; August 22, 1864, discharged. 



SEVENTH SERIES. 

First Lt. William H. Chenery, Fourteenth R. I. Heavy 
Artillery. Residence, Providence, R. I. December 11, 1861, 
enrolled in Co. D, Fifth R. I. Heavy Artillery; December 16, 
1861, mustered in; May i, 1862, promoted Corporal; June 13, 
1863, promoted Sergeant; August, 1863, on detached service, 
and so borne until December, 1863 ; December, 1863, dis- 
charged by reason of promotion in the Fourteenth R. I. 
Heavy Artillery ; December 14, 1863, commissioned First 
Lieutenant, Co. F, Fourteenth R. I. Heavy Artillery; Decem- 
ber 21, 1863, mustered in ; June 17, 1864, temporarily assigned 
to Co. E; November, 1864, ordered on duty in Co. G, and so 
borne until January, 1865; October 2, 1865, mustered out; 
October 5, 1865, detailed to take command of Co. E, and 
borne as responsible for ordnance and ordnance stores until 
disbandment of regiment in November, 1865. 

First Lt. Ezra K. Parker, Battery E. First R. L Light 
Artillery. Residence, Coventry, R. I. September 7, 1861, 
commissioned Second Lieutenant, Battery D ; September 9, 
1861, mustered in; November 30, 1862, mustered out, and re- 
commissioned Second Lieutenant by Governor of Rhode Is- 
land same day; again mustered in to date December 15, 1862; 
borne on detached service at Knoxville, Tenn., from Decem- 
ber 8, 1863, until January, 1864; March, 1864, absent with 
leave ; April 23, 1864, mustered out by reason of promotion 
to First Lieutenant, Battery E; April 8, 1864, commissioned 
First Lieutenant, Battery E ; mustered in to date April 23, 1864 ; 
September, 1864, commanding Battery; granted leave of ab- 
sence for fifteen days, by order dated November 23, 1864; 
December, 1864, commanding Battery, and so borne until 
June, 1865 ; June 14, 1865, mustered out. 



16 

Priv. Charles O. Green, Co. M, First R. I. Cavalry. 
September 28, 1862, enrolled at Providence, R. I. ; October 8, 
1862, mustered in ; transferred to New Hampshire Cavalry, by 
order dated January 7, 1864. 

Capt. Martin S. James, Co. C, Third R. I. Heavy Ar- 
tillery. Residence, Providence, R. I. August 20, 1861, en- 
rolled; August 20, 1861, mustered in; originally served as 
Second Lieutenant, Co. A; January 15, 1862, appointed Post 
Adjutant; borne on leave of absence for sixty days from 
April 25, 1862; July 19, 1862, ordered on detached service as 
A. D. C. on General Terry's staff, and so borne until re- 
lieved by order dated August 10, 1863 ; December 29, 1862, 
commissioned First Lieutenant; mustered in as such to date 
January i, 1863; February 21, 1863, assigned to duty in Co. E; 
November 2, 1863, commissioned Captain; November 17, 1863, 
transferred to Co. C, and mustered in as Captain Co. C, to 
date November 20, 1863; borne on leave of absence for 
twenty-five days from January 7, 1865 ', June 9, 1865, mus- 
tered out. 

.Corp. William E. Meyer, Co. H, First R. L Cavalry. Oc- 
tober 28, 1861, enrolled at Newport, R. L; December 14, 1861, 
mustered in ; originally served as Private ; November 13, 1863, 
taken prisoner at New Baltimore ; April 30, 1864, relieved at 
City Point, Va. ; October 27, 1864, mustered out near Stras- 
burg, Va. 

Second Lt. Daniel R. Ballou. Co. C, Twelfth R. L Volun- 
teers. Residence, Burrillville, R. L August 23, 1862, en- 
rolled; October 13, 1862, mustered in; originally served as 
Private, Co. K; November 9, 1862, promoted Sergeant-Major ; 
mustered out as Sergeant-Major, and mustered in as Second 
Lieutenant to date November 20, 1862; November 29, 1862, 
assigned to Co. G ; December 13, 1862, wounded at the battle 
of Fredericksburg, Va. ; sent to hospital, and borne as absent 
sick until February, 1863, when he returned to company; 
December 30, 1862, transferred to Co. C, as Second Lieu- 
tenant; April 25, 1863, resigned. 



THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDALS OF HONOR 
AWARDED TO RHODE ISLAND SOLDIERS. 



Of the sixteen Medals of Honor in this list nine were won by men wno were in 
this charge of the Sixth Corps at Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865. 

William J. Babcock. — Sergeant, Co. E, 2d R. I. Inf., 
March 2, 1895; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, — Planted the 
flag upon the parapet while the enemy still occupied the line ; 
was the first of his regiment to enter the works. 

James A. Barber. — Corporal, Co. G, ist R. I. A., June 20, 
1866; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, — Was one of a detach- 
ment of twenty picked artillerymen who voluntarily accom- 
panied an infantry assaulting party, and who turned upon the 
enemy the guns captured in the assault. 

George N. Bliss. — Captain, Co. C, ist R. I. Cav., August 3, 
1897; Waynesboro, Va., September 28, 1864, — While in com- 
mand of the provost guard in the village he saw the Union 
lines returning before the attack of a greatly superior force 
of the enemy, mustered his guard, and without order joined 
in the defense and charged the enemy without support. He 
received three saber wounds, his horse was shot, and he was 
taken prisoner. 

Zenas R. Bliss. — Colonel, 7th R. I. Inf., December 30,, 
1898; Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862, — This officer, 
to encourage his regiment, which had never before been in 
action, and which had been ordered to lie down to protect 
itself from the enemy's fire, arose to his feet, advanced in 
front of the line, and himself fired several shots at the 
enemy at short range, being fully exposed to their fire at the 
time. 

John K. Bucklin. — First Lieutenant, By. E, ist R. I. L. A., 
July 13, 1899; Chancellorsville, Va.. May 3, 1863, — Though 
himself wounded, gallantly fought his section of the battery 



18 

under a fierce fire from the enemy until his ammunition was 
all expended, many of the cannoneers and most of the horses 
killed or wounded and the enemy within twenty-five yards of 
the guns, when, disabling one piece, he brought oflf the other 
in safety. 

James H. Burbank. — Sergeant, Co. K, 4th R. I. Inf., 
July 27, 1896; Blackwater, near Franklin, Va., October 3, 
1862, — Gallantry in action while on detached service on board 
a gunboat. 

Benjamin H. Child.— Corporal, Battery A, ist R. I. L. A., 
July 20, 1897; Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862, — Was 
wounded and taken to the rear insensible, but, when partially 
recovered, insisted on returning to the battery, and resumed 
command of his piece, so remaining until the close of the 
battle. 

John Corcoran. — Private, Co. G, ist R. I. L. A., Novem- 
ber 2, 1887; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, — Was one of a de- 
tachment of twenty picked artillerymen who voluntarily ac- 
companied an infantry assaulting party, and who turned 
upon the enemy the guns captured in the assault. 

Charles D. Ennis. — Private, Co. G, ist R. I. L. A., June 
28, 1892; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, — Was one of a de- 
tachment of twenty picked artillerymen who voluntarily ac- 
companied an infantry assaulting party, and who turned upon 
the enemy the guns captured in the assault. 

John H. Havron. — Sergeant, Co. G, ist R. I. L. A., June 
16, 1866; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, — Was one of_ a de- 
tachment of twenty picked artillerymen who voluntarily ac- 
companied an infantry assaulting party, and who turned upon 
the enemy the guns captured in the assault. 

Samuel E. Lewis. — Corporal Co, G, ist R. I. L. A., 
June 16, 1866; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, — Was one of a 
detachment of twenty picked artillerymen who voluntarily ac- 
companied an infantry assaulting party, and who turned upon 
the enemy the guns captured in the assault. 

Archibald Molbone. — Sergeant Co. G, ist R. I. L. A., 
June 20, 1866; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, — Was one of a 



19 

detachment of twenty picked artillerymen who voluntarily ac- 
companied an infantry assaulting party ,and who turned upon 
the enemy the guns captured in the assault. 

Thomas Parker. — Corporal, Co. B, 2d R. I. Inf., May 29, 
1867 ; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865 ; Sailors Creek, Va., 
April 6, 1865, — Carried the regimental colors over the creek 
after the regiment had broken and been repulsed. 

George W. Potter. — Private, Co. G, ist R. I. L. A., March 
4, 1886; Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, — Was one of a de- 
tachment of twenty picked artillerymen who voluntarily ac- 
companied an infantry assaulting party, and who turned upon 
the enemy the guns captured in the assault. 

Joseph Taylor. — Private, Co. E, 7th R. I. Inf., July 20, 
1897; Weldon Railroad, Va., August 18, 1864, — While acting 
as an orderly to a general officer on the field, and alone, en- 
countered a picket of three of the enemy and compelled their 
surrender. 

James Welsh. — Private, Co. E, 4th R. I. Inf., June 3, 1905; 
Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1864, — Bore off the regimental col- 
ors after the color-sergeant had been wounded and the color- 
corporal bearing the colors killed, thereby saving the colors 
from capture. 



APPENDIX 



The Soldiers' and Sailors' Historical Society of Rhode 
Island was organized March 17, 1875, for the purpose of 
putting in the Public Libraries of this and other States 
printed narratives of personal experiences of soldier life 
in the war that resulted in saving the Union. 

INDEX 



FIRST SERIES. 

No. 1. The First Campaign of the Second Rhode 
Island Infantry. By Elisha H. Rhodes. 

No. 2. The Rhode Island Artillery at the First 
Battle of Bull Run. By J. Albert 
Monroe. 

No. 3. Reminiscences of Service in the First Rhode 
Island Cavalry. By Capt. George N. 
Bliss. 

No. 4. My First Cruise at Sea and the Loss of the 
Iron Clad Monitor. By Frank B. 
Butts. 

No. 5. Kit Carson's Figlit with the Comanche and 
Kiowa Indians. By George H. Pettis. 

No. 6. A Trip to Richmond as Prisoner of War. 
Bv Edward P. Tobie. 



No. 7. Incidents of Cavalry Service in Louisiana. 

By Charles H. Parkhurst. 
No. 8. The Bay Fight. A Sketch of Mobile Bay. 

By William F. Hutchinson. 
No. 9. Personal Incidents in the Early Campaigns 

of the Third Regiment, Rhode Island 

Volunteers. By Edwin Metcalf. 
No. 10. The Battle of the Mine. By Ervin T. 

Case. 

SECOND SERIES. 

No. 1. First Cruise of the Montauk. By Samuel 
T. Brow^ne. 

No. 2. A Country Boy's First Three Months in the 
Army. By. C. Henry Barney. 

No. 3. Battery F, First Rhode Island Light Artil- 
lery. By Philip S. Chase. 

No. 4. The Marine Artillery with the Burnside 
Expedition and the Battle of Camden, 
N. C. By William B. Avery. 

No. 5. The Battles of Roanoke Island and Eliza- 
beth City. By Lorenzo Traver, M. D. 

No. G. The Burnside Expedition. By Ambrose E. 
Burnside, late Major-General, United 
States Army. 



Ill 



No. 7. Kemiiiiscences of Two Years with the 
Colored Troops. By J. M. Addeman. 

No. 8. A Kecriiit before Petersburg. By George 
B. Peck, Jr. 

No. 9. Personal Experiences of the Chancellors- 
ville Campaign. By Horatio Rogers. 

No. 10. The Battle of Cedar Mountain; A Per- 
sonal View. By Rev. Frederic Denison, 

A. M. 

No. 11. Reminiscences of the War of the Rebel- 
lion, 1861-5. By J. Albert Monroe. 
No. 12. A Cruise along the Blockade. By Frank 

B. Butts. 

No. 13. The High School Boys of the Tenth R. I. 
Regiment, with an Appendix, The High 
School in the Civil War. By William 
A. Spicer. 

No. 11. Service of the Cavalry iu the Army of the 
Potomac. By Edward P. Todie, late 
Second-Lieutenant First Maine Cavalry. 

No. 15. Prison Life of Lieut. James M. Fales. By 
George N. Bliss. 



* Lieut. James M. Fales and I were together when tliis paper 
■was written. As Comrade P'ales told the story of his prison 
life, I wrote it down as nearly as possible in his own words, 
and then condensed the narrative as much as possible. 

— G. N. Bliss. 



IV 



No. IC. The Last Tour of Duty at the Siege of 

Charleston. By Charles H. Williams. 
No. 17. Ambrose Everett Buruside. By Augustus 

Woodbury. 
No. 18. Incidents of Service with the Eleventh 

Regiment, R. I. Volunteers. By Charles 

H. Parkhurst. 
No. 19. Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. 

By John K. Bucklyn^ late Captain 

First R. I. Light Artillery. 

No. 20. A Cruise along the Blockade. By Frank 
B. Butts. 

THIRD SERIES. 

No. 1. Life on the Texan Blockade. By AV. F. 
Hutchinson^ M. D. 

No. 2. Four Months a Prisoner of War. By 
Thomas Simpson. 

No. 3. Gunboat Service on the James River. By 
William B. Avery. 

No. 4. A Private's Recollections of Fredericks- 
burg. By Eugene A. Cory. 

No. 5. Camp and Hospital. By George B. Peck, 
Jr. 

No. 6. Cavalry Service with General Sheridan, 
and Life in Libby Prison. By George 
N. Bliss. 



No. 7. Service with Battery F, First Rhode Is- 
land Light Artillery, iu North Carolina. 
By Philip S. Chase. 

No. 8. Gunboat Service on the Nansemond. By 
Frank B. Butts. 

No. 9. The Battle of Groveton, August 28, 1862. 
By Frederic Denison. 

No. 10. Recollections of Mouocacy. By Alfred S. 
Roe. 

No. 11. Recollections of Service in the Twelfth 
Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers. By 
Oscar Lapham. 

No. 12. The March to the Sea. By Charles A. 
Hopkins. 

No. 13. Reminiscences of Service with Colored 
Troops in the Army of the Cumberland, 
1863-6.5. By Thomas J. Morgan. 

No. 14. Frontier Service during the Rebellion, or 
a History of Company K, First Infantry, 
California Volunteers. By George H. 
Pettis. 

No. 15. Reminiscences of Service with the Twelfth 
Rhode Island Volunteers, and a Memo- 
rial of Col. George H. Browne. By 
Pardon E. Tillinghast. 



VI 



No. 16. Battery D, First R. I. Light Artillery, at 

the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 

1862. By J. Albert Munroe. 
No. 17. Relief of Washington, North Carolina, by 

the Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers. By 

William W. Douglas. 
No. 18. A Private's Reminiscences of the First 

Year of the War. By E. Ben.tamin 

Andrews. 
No. 19. Battle of Kelly's Ford, March 17, 1863. 

By Jacob B. Cooke. 
No. 20. The Investment of Fort Pulaski. By 

Alonzo Williams. 

FOURTH SERIES. 

No. 1. From Monocacy to Danville. By Alfeed 

S. Roe. 
No. 2. Siege and Capture of Harper's Ferry by 

the Confederates. By William H. 

Nichols^ Third Corporal Co. A, Seventh 

Squadron, Rhode Island Cavalry. 
No. 3. Service with Battery F, First R. I. Light 

Artillery. By Philip S. Chase. 
No. 4. First R. I. Cavalry at Middleburg, Va., 

June 17 and 18,, 1863. By George N. 

Bliss^ late Captain Troop C, First 

Rhode Island Cavalry. 



No. 5. Personal Kecollections of General Sheri- 
dan. By Edward P. ToniE, formerly of 
the First Maine Cavalry. 

No. 6. The Monitor and the Merrimac. By Frank 

B. BuTTS;, formerly Paymaster's Clerk, 
U. S. Navy. 

No. 7. From Bridgeport to Ringgold by way of 
Lookout Mountain. By Albert R. 
Greene. 

No. 8. Duffie; and the Monument to his Memory. 
By George N. Bliss, late Captain Co. 

C, First Rhode Island Cavalry. 

No. 9. The Burnside Expedition, and the Engage- 
ment at Roanoke Island. By William 
L. Welch, late of Twenty-third Massa- 
chusetts Infantry. 

No. 10. Battery D, First Rhode Island Light 
Artillery, at the Second Battle of Bull 
Run. By J. Albert Monroe, late Lieut.- 
Colonel First Rhode Island Light Artil- 
lery. 

No. 11. Recollections of Service in Battery D, 
First Rhode Island Light Artillery. By 
George C. Sumner. 

No. 12. My Boyhood at West Point. By Prof. 
William Whitman Bailey. 



VIU 



No. 13. From Memphis to Allatoona ; aud the Bat- 
tle of Allatoona, October 5, 1864. By 
George W. Hill, 

No. 14. Eecollections of the United States Naval 
Academy. By John C. Pegram. 

No. 15. With the Ninth Army Corps in East Ten- 
nessee. By W. A. Nason. 

No. 16. In a Eebel Prison; or. Experiences in 
Danville. By Alfred S. Eoe. 

No. 17. Eichmond, Annapolis, aud Home. By 
Alfred S. Eoe. 

No. 18. John Albert Monroe, First Ehode Island 
Light Artillery. A Memorial. 

No. 19. The Gettysburg Gun. By John H. Ehodes. 

No. 20. A Chaplain's Experience in the Union 
Army. By Eev. Frederick Denison, 
A. M. 

FIFTH SEEIES. 

No. 1. Services with Colored Troops in Burnside's 
Corps. By James H. Eickard. 

No. 2. Kearsarge and Alabama. By William H. 

Badlam. 
No. 3. From Andersonville to Freedom. By 

Charles M. Smith. 



No. 4. From Fredericksburg to Gettysburg. By 
Benjamin H. Child. 

No. 5. Operations of the Cavalry Corps, February 
27, to March 8, 1865, Participated in by 
the First Rhode Island Cavalry. By 
William Gardiner. 

No. 0. The Organization and First Campaign of 
Battery E, First Rhode Island Light 
Artillery. By Francis B. Butts. 

No. 7. Assault on Fort Gilmer and Reminiscences 
of Prison Life. By George R. Sherman. 

No. 8. Battle of the Crater and Experiences of 
Prison Life. By Sumner U. Shearman. 

No. 9. Reminiscences of the Signal Service in the 
Civil War. By Henry S. Tafft. 

No. 10. From Spottsylvania to Wilmington, N. C, 
by Way of Andersonville and Florence. 

By Sidney S. W^illiams. 

SIXTH SERIES. 

No. 1. A Forlorn Hope. By Everett C. STE^^NS. 

No. 2. How I Lost my Sabre in War and Found it 
in Peace. By Capt. Geokge N. Bliss. 



No. 3. Reminisceuces of the Signal Service iu tlie 
Civil War. Second Paper. By Henry 

S. Tafft. 

No. 4. Extracts from my Diary, and from my Ex- 
periences while Boarding with Jefferson 
Davis, in Three of his Notorious Hotels 
in Richmond, Va., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and 
Salisbury, N. C, from July, 1861, to 
June, 1862. By William J. Crossley. 

No. 5. The Maryland Campaign with the Fourth 
Rhode Island. By Henry J. Spooner. 

No. 6. The Sword of Honor. Prom Captivity to 
Freedom. By Hannibal A. Johnson. 

No. 7. Through Chancellorsville, into and out 
of Libby Prison. By Clay MacCauley. 

No. 8. The Storming of the Lines of Petersburg 
by the Sixth Corps, April 2, 1865. By 
Hazard Stevens. 

No. 9. Our Last Campaign and Subsequent Ser- 
vice in Texas. By James Shaw. 

No. 10. The Florida Campaign with Light Battery 
C, Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. 
By Patrick Egan. 



SEVENTH SERIES. 

No. 1. Reminiscences of the Burnside Expedition. 
By William H. Chenery. 

No. 2. From the Rapidau to the James, under 
Grant. By Ezra K. Parker. 

No. 3. An Incident in the Battle of Middleburg, 
Va. By Charles O. Green. 

No. 4. War Reminiscences. By Martin S. James. 

No. 5. The Sailor on Horseback. By William E. 
Meyer. 

No. 6. Campaign of Battery D, First Rhode Is- 
land Light Artillery, in Kentucky and 
East Tennessee. By Ezra K. Parker. 

No. 7. The Negro as a Soldier. By George R. 
Sherman. 

No. 8. The Military Services of Major-General 
Ambrose Everett Burnside in the Civil 
War. Part I. By Daniel R. Ballou. 

No. 9. The Military Services of Major-General 
Ambrose Everett Burnside in the Civil 
War. Part II. By Daniel R. Ballou. 

No. 10. The Second Rhode Island Volunteers at 
the Siege of Petersburg. By Elisha H. 
Rhodes. 



G^ 






